STATESBORO, Ga. - One third the way through spring practice, the process of moving to a "new" offense and defense has presented challenges and plenty of teaching opportunities for the Georgia Southern football coaching staff. The Eagles completed their fifth of 15 practices allowed during the spring Monday and continued to focus on fundamentals and instruction.
The Eagle coaching staff graded the film from Saturday's practice and began to formulate a depth chart - at least through the first team - on both offense and defense. Coach Jeff Monken didn't identify a number-one quarterback, but instead left it open for further evaluation with the four in the running at that position: Russell DeMasi (Savannah, Ga.), Jawaun Luckey (Augusta, Ga.), A.J. McCray (St. Marys, Ga.) and Brent Osborn (Valley, Ala.).
On the offensive line, Monken commented that Brandavious Mann (Forsyth, Ga.) could have been projected as a "one" had he not been injured in Saturday's practice. Mann was on crutches, but in full pads and wearing his helmet at practice today. No specifics yet on the extent of his injury with the diagnosis expected in the next couple of days.
Redshirt freshman Blake DeBartola (Fayetteville, Ga.) was tabbed at the center position with sophomore Jared Flowers (Swainsboro, Ga.) at left guard and junior Brett Moore at left tackle. William Maxwell (Quitman, Ga.) was named for the right guard spot while freshman Bryant Meeks (Blue Ridge, Ga.) was mentioned as the projected "one" at right tackle.
Freshmen Patrick Barker (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) and Mitchell Williford (Duluth, Ga.) were named as the top choices at wide receivers with Tyler Sumner (Pooler, Ga.) mentioned as a third option. Zeke Rozier (Cochran, Ga.) earned not only a compliment for his effort, but nod as a potential number-one fullback. Lee Banks (Augusta, Ga.), previously listed as a quarterback, was also listed as a possibility at B-back.
At the front of the race for the slotback positions are redshirt freshman J.J. Wilcox (Cairo, Ga.) and freshman Darreion Robinson (Bishop, Ga.). Monken also mentioned sophomore Nico Hickey (Columbus, Ga.) and freshman Johnathan Bryant (Cairo, Ga.), and didn't rule out moving Banks to slotback in the quest to find the best three backs.
On defense, Monken was quick to give the Eagle defensive coaches credit for their approach to transitioning to the new defense and being patient in teaching the fundamentals and philosophy.
Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry added two new schemes during Monday's practice, building on what the defense worked on last week. Pry said that after putting in a scheme, it would usually take a day to work out the problems, but by the second practice, the players showed the coaches they had an understanding of it. Eager to learn, listen and do what the coaches are asking, the defense players are demonstrating that they can play the way the coaches need them to play.
"We need to work on our depth," Monken said about the defense. "We are starting to establish a good core of 11 guys, but we need to work on some depth," Monken said. "We're moved some guys today, and trying to find the right spot where these guys fit. That will come over the next week, and we'll have an idea where everybody is going to be at home and feel comfortable and give us the best chance to win. We really want to give the guys a place they can contribute, and help the team, and we'll try and establish that this week."
Georgia Southern will practice in full pads Tuesday, March 30, and Thursday, April 1, of this week and hold its first scrimmage Saturday at 9 a.m. at Paulson Stadium.
FOCUS ON ACADEMICS
Three individuals will spend the remainder of the spring focusing on their academic responsibilities. Eric Grube, Kyle Oehlbeck and Chris Teal will not participate in practices and will rejoin the squad for preseason camp.
ROSTER UPDATE
Two position changes occurred Monday as the defensive coaching staff moved freshman Darius Eubanks from safety to linebacker. Sophomore Christian Jordan was shift from linebacker to defensive end.
CHAMPIONS VISIT PRACTICE
Eagle standouts Chaz Williams, quarterback from 2001-2004, and Zzream Walden, slotback on the 1999-2002 teams, visited the Eagles' practice today. Walden owns national championship rings from 1999 and 2000 and was a part of five straight Southern Conference championships. Williams was a member of the 2000 national championship team as well as three SoCon championship teams. Both are coaching at the high school level in Florida.
